Farewell, But Not Goodbye, Gordon Moyes
A public farewell to acknowledge the 27 years of service at Wesley Mission in Sydney by the Rev. Dr Gordon Moyes AC, MLC, and Mrs Beverley Moyes AM, was held in the Sydney Town Hall, Sunday afternoon, December 4, 2005. The occasion was a farewell from the leadership of Wesley Mission but not a final goodbye.
The Rev the Hon Dr Moyes will continue to serve the people of Sydney and the State of New South Wales in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament as a member of the Christian Democratic Party.
Over 2,000 supporters, friends and grateful participants gathered to honour Dr and Mrs Moyes for their faithful and caring ministries.
Following a presentation by the Wesley International Orchestra, featuring violinist Atilla Soutov, the voice of the Town Crier, Graham Keating, was heard at the rear of the gathering, announcing the arrival of the Moyes and the Official Party.
Mr Graham Want, General Manager of Wesley Mission led the proceedings. Dr David Johnston, President of the Wesley Institute, conducted the musical presentations by the Wesley Institute International Ensemble, the Wesley Institute Performance Choir, a Wesley Mission Congregational Choir and the International Orchestra.
Musical items and words of appreciation were presented by soloist Francine Bell, a long time supporter of the Mission.
A series of visual presentations depicted the history of Dr Moyes’ involvement at Wesley Mission since his arrival in Sydney. Produced by Daryl Brown, archival footage and current interviews depicted how Dr Moyes had led Wesley Mission from a $6 million operation to its current $150 million annual budget, employing 3,000 staff in 400 services and programs.
A Wesley Mission Congregational Elder, Julie Bishop, read the Scripture Reading, Luke 4:16-21 followed by a greeting from Mr Jim Mein, the Uniting Church NSW Synod Moderator.
Dr Keith Suter, the Consultant on Social Policy at Wesley Mission Sydney, read special messages of support from the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC; the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen and the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
Secretary Dr David Greatorex AO and Treasurer, Dr Jim Pendlebury OAM presented Dr Moyes and Beverley Moyes respectively, with parting gifts on behalf of the Wesley Mission Board.
Dr Moyes responded:
“You presence here does Beverley, our family and myself great honour. I want to thank our members, staff, choir, students, Dr David Johnston, the Officers, Graham Want, Sarah Spence, Daryl Brown, Blossom Vickers, my successor Rev Keith and Carol Garner and all who have contributed today to a magnificent service. Thank you.”
Dr Moyes then presented the same sermon he had used when commencing as Superintendent of Wesley Mission, 27 years ago.
Dr Moyes said:
“People know that Wesley Mission is entering a new era. Back in 1977 when I was appointed Superintendent, a number of changes took place. The Central Methodist Mission after nearly one hundred years of history changed its name to Wesley Central Mission, later Wesley Mission; the denomination changed from the Methodist Church of Australia, to the Uniting Church In Australia, joining with two other denominations with totally different histories and ethos, and the Mission changed its Superintendent from a predictable and talented Methodist leader to a new leader with other skills from Victoria.”
“The circumstances surrounding all of these circumstances, I have outlined in my new book, Leaving a Legacy. Anyone reading this book would know much more than most people who make statements about these events.”
“Early next year, Wesley Mission will enter another new era, this time with a new leader from the United Kingdom. At such a time as this we should check our directions! To do so, I will preach exactly the same sermon I preached on my first occasion as Superintendent of Wesley Mission twenty-seven years ago.”
Although several locations and landmarks had been completed since the first presentation, the spiritual emphasis was just as relevant today:
1. to preach good news to the poor.
2. to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.
3. the recovery of sight to the blind.
4. to heal the broken hearted.
5. to release the oppressed.
6. to proclaim the year of the lord’s favour.
Following the address, several members of the staff came onto the platform and publicly presented prayers of dedication for Dr and Mrs Moyes. The picture was of a devout group of fellow workers farewelling their bosses.
The benediction was led by Christine Jeyachandran, the hymn “And Can it Be” was sung and the people departed, remembering two people who had shown love, encouragement and care for all whom they had met.
Photos of the occasion are available on by clicking here.
ARTICLE BY RAMON WILLIAMS